The skin sends messages to the brain through the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) (the nerves throughout the body) through the spinal cord to the brain. Sensation and responses of the skin are controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), the part of the nervous system that is regulated without your control. Skin will send signals if you are too warm or cold, if something you touch is too warm or cold or if something is hurting you. It can tell your brain if something is uncomfortable outside of your body such as room temperature or too much sun that is burning you, or within your skin such as rash or goosebumps. There are nerves in every part of skin that can help you perceive the outside world of heat, cold, touch and pain. It synthesizes and maintains vitamin D levels in the body. Skin has a key job in regulation of the body by maintaining temperature through fluid balancing of peripheral blood vessel flow, sweat and body hair. It keeps unwanted things out such as dirt and other matter, bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus, stands up to a moderate amount of pressure, and protects us from chemicals and radiation. The skin is the major protector of the body’s interior from the outside world. It covers the entire exterior of the body with a few openings for the eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, urethra, rectum and vagina in females. The skin is the largest living organ system of the body.
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